Today we’re excited to announce the winners of the Leap Motion 3D Jam – but first, we have a special surprise for all our top 20 semi-finalists. It’s been an incredible competition, and we were really blown away by the high level of quality. As a result, we’ve decided to increase our prize pool! Now, each of the top 20 semi-finalists, along with three Honorable Mentions, will receive a cash prize.

The top three winners were all VR experiences designed for the Oculus Rift – reflecting how virtual reality is opening up new possibilities for truly innovative and compelling experiences. The winners were chosen from the semi-finalists by a special jury drawn from Leap Motion and the IndieCade community.

For its sci-fi atmosphere, mind-expanding puzzles, and unique game mechanics, the first prize of $5,000 and travel to IndieCade East goes to Aboard the Lookinglass – a time-bending odyssey from Henry Hoffman.

By reaching out your left hand, you see a portal to the past. With your right hand, the future. Smashed computer monitors can be accessed in the past to open doors in the present, while obstacles can be whisked into the future. Along the way, you start to feel a sense of foreboding…

A meditative experience set on a distant space station, Martin Schubert’s Weightless takes home second place, winning $3,000 and travel to IndieCade East. Strap into your space suit and play with objects pulled in from the void.

Weightless scored high for its beautiful design aesthetic and overall experience. A soothing piano soundtrack by Chris Zabriskie can be controlled by an in-game music module. Artifacts range from the mundane objects to nested cubes swirling within each other. You can even empower your suit with gravitational powers. This is one place where you’ll want to spend hours.

We’ve seen two games that take you into outer space. But what about inner space? World of Comenius is a highly experimental preview of a much larger platform that’s just beginning to emerge. A whole new way of learning about the universe and our place in it – plus the power to create and shape new digital universes.

This is creator Tomáš “Frooxius” Mariančík’s second IndieCade Jam – in 2013, he placed third in the Oculus VR Jam for SightLine. This year, he takes the bronze with $2,000. We can’t wait to see where he takes this groundbreaking educational platform next.

Honorable Mentions

Most Hilarious Narrator – Rhythm Red Alert. “You really are entertaining, as humans go.” In Lazy 8 Studios’ Rhythm Red Alert, you must face down a dangerous AI with its finger on the Button. Throw down sick beats to avoid nuclear meltdown. Download for Mac and Windows »

Coolest (and Most Complex) Hardware Setup – Dualcyon. Two computers, two controllers, two Oculus Rifts… and a friend! This is what you need to play Dualcyon, an innovative two-player experience from Chad Toprak and Yang Ho. Swap hands and talk through challenging puzzles where cooperation is key. Download for Mac and Windows »

Most Cathartic Godzilla Moment – Mega Creature Smash. Who hasn’t dreamed of climbing a building and smashing it to smithereens? Labcoat Studios’ Mega Creature Smash: lets you destroy walls, windows, and floors to take down an entire building. But watch out – a private military has been hired to stop you! Download for Windows »

What’s Next?

The competition might be over, but the real fun is just getting started. Right now, developers are refining their apps to get them ready for the Leap Motion App Store – making them easily available for our global user community. Others are already working on their next projects, and we can’t wait to see what they build.

To celebrate the achievements of our jammers, we’re kicking off a special series this week on the Leap Motion blog. 3D Jam Spotlights will focus on game design, interaction design, and the big ideas driving our community forward. The spotlights will end on February 13, which also marks the start of IndieCade East. There, we’ll be featuring today’s winners, plus a few other community favorites. We hope to see you there!